MOTIVATION FOR REPORTED INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL WETLAND PRESERVATION - THE ROLES OF KNOWLEDGE, DISPOSITION, PROBLEM ASSESSMENT, AND AROUSAL

A structural equation model explaining motivation for involvement in l ocal wetland issues was developed and tested. Wetland preservation was used as an example of an ongoing environmental problem in a typical u rban neighborhood. The roles of knowledge and disposition in determini ng an individual's reported activity were hypothesized to be mediated through intermediary variables. The two intermediary variables nominat ed were derived from the literature on hazard coping, which has been l argely ignored by attitudinal research on individual conservation beha vior. These intermediary variables were defined as emotive arousal and cognitive problem assessment. The influence of knowledge was hypothes ized to be mediated by both arousal and assessment. Disposition was th ought to be mediated by arousal alone. In contrast to activism after f loods, a positive rather than negative relationship between arousal an d reported activity was predicted. The model was supported by the resp onses of residents after viewing slides of local wetlands. Implication s for further research are examined.